Whew Chile, it’s been a minute. Who knew becoming a puppy mom would steal my early morning writing practice? But it’s been so much fun raising Stella and low key pointed out the fact that I’m bored – but that’s for another blog. There is an unkept yard in our neighborhood. The property owner is out of state and our HOA is trash. Each time the yard requires maintenance it takes an act of Congress for a response and even longer for something to be done about it. Let’s just say that at present time, we are somewhere in the middle. As Stella looked for place to relieve herself, she pulled toward “the yard” with weeds that come to my waist. I tried to pull her away but it was clear she was already in position “to go;” and “go” she did. Now, I am that person who carries a bag while walking similar to what an infant’s parent does – but I didn’t want to waste my ego friendly waste removal bags on “that yard.” After all, I’ve called about it, sent pictures, emailed and nothing has been done. In fact, the HOA told me, “Yes, that yard is always problematic.” I’m thinking, “Why won’t you do anything about it?!” I actually began to walk away and thought about how I was contributing to the problem. I literally heard in my spirit (and preparation and apologies to you who may be offended), “Don’t add sh*t to it!” So, I turned around and picked up the waste as I do for every other place she’s engaged and we continued on our walk. As I passed by the yard on our return, I thought about how often as believers we add to someone’s trauma with our judgement, our critical inquiry, our fake wisdom, instead of finding ways to make things better as opposed to worse.
Even as difficult as the road we may be walking, God calls us into community with one another. The ability for each one of God’s children to manage “their lot” is different and impacted by so many factors – much of which we have no idea; and might I add, we are not using the Holy Spirit for insight, clarity, discernment or guidance. We instead open our traps and say whatever we feel “led” to say and the result is what I did with Stella. We sh*t on them and walk away and then have the audacity to insert God into the equation to attempt to give credence for our bad behavior. Ever been curious as to why “someone’s yard” is the way that it is? It could be because either knowingly or unknowingly we’ve piled on where we should have sought opportunity to take away.
God has placed us in the earth to help one another. It’s not by chance that you encounter trauma. For the believer, Colossians 3:12-13 affirms, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This is our operational guide. This is our user friendly directive.
The yard in my neighborhood has not changed; and quite frankly even as you engage what the Word declares, it may take a while for the external to reveal what you hope and pray in another. However, the change is not our responsibility – God grants the increase, the evolution, the metamorphosis. It is however our responsibility not to do anything that may hinder what He’s doing. Let Him be God and let us not get in the way by adding sh*t to it!
